Yesterday the Emilia Romagna region in Italy was struck by a powerful earthquake. From the latest information in the media we understand that 17 people lost their life, over 350 people were injured and more than 13,000 people rendered homeless. The images of the devastation that have been reported out of Italy are truly heart breaking. In this region also many member companies of Eucomed are located such as B. Braun, Fresenius and Sorin.

The European medical technology industry association Eucomed welcomes most of the measures in the PIP resolution proposed by the Environment and Public Health (ENVI) Committee of the European Parliament. The PIP resolution was passed unanimously yesterday. Many of the measures will improve the current legislative framework for medical devices and have a positive effect on patient safety. However, Eucomed does not understand the need to call for a pre-market authorisation system for Class III devices as Europe currently has a de facto approval system for these devices.

Eucomed, the European medical technology industry association, joined leaders from European healthcare and the European Commission in calling for concrete measures to close the gaps that hinder healthcare innovation through the adoption of SME-friendly regulation, and simpler reimbursement policies and procurement practices.

Appropriate procurement mechanisms, whereby small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have equal opportunities, innovation is stimulated, and Europe’s market attractiveness and competitiveness upheld, can contribute significantly towards sustainable European healthcare systems, with safe, more efficient innovations being available to more people